Sailor Moon X: Lunar Eclipse
a Sailor Moon/X-Men crossover
Chapter 11: Back to School
8-15-2017
By Grey-X
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is the creation and property of Naoko Takeuchi and Toei Animation. X-Men is the creation and property of Stan Lee, Marvel Comics and Disney.
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It wasn't until the bus started moving that Usagi realized she had made another big mistake. After throwing out that question in the auditorium, her scientist self made an impression on everyone there, especially the two X-Men. Given how the X-Men had to deal with a shapeshifter like Mystique, there was a good chance Ororo and Kitty could see through others' disguises. Luckily, Ororo and Kitty had taken seats up in the front, while in the back, someone had left a newspaper. Usagi made it look like she was reading it, using it to hide her face, all the while peeking out to see where the two mutants would get off.
Unfortunately, being that far away from the two women meant there was no chance to listen in again. Usagi couldn't help but wonder what THEIR plans were for Eclipse. Just WHERE did they intend to take her? Back to their superhero headquarters, wherever it was? Was it that school Charles Xavier ran, or someplace else? And how did they plan to put Eclipse down for the count? Dr. McCoy was their blue-haired genius counterpart to Ami. Did he cook up some other sciencey way to bring down Eclipse with minimum effort? Or did they just intend to have Storm whip up a blizzard and throw lightning bolts until she relented? Did they even know of Eclipse's weaknesses, thanks to Cable or their professor?
It's not too different from what the Senshi might fall back on, if Ami's weapon is a bust, Usagi admitted to herself. She glanced over to the front of the bus again. Usagi could see that big mass of white hair.
Usagi felt a twinge of shame, remembering how she had reacted upon learning who Ororo really was. She kept telling herself she was over it now. This was Storm, a superhero who once helped saved Japan, and the whole world several times over. She should have all of the Senshi's trust. The whole country's trust.
That's another reason I'm here, Usagi told herself. If anyone knows how to keep this paranoia in Japan from getting worse, it's got to be Professor Xavier.
Time stretched on tediously as the bus went through Tokyo, Usagi's patience swiftly becoming exhausted once again. But finally, after what seemed an eternity, Ororo and Kitty stood up after the bus pulled in somewhere and lurched to a stop. They exited through the front, so Usagi sauntered out the side door, still holding the newspaper.
After taking a few steps, she peeked over the newspaper again, to see that Ororo and Kitty were walking toward some fancy hotel building. That makes sense. This Xavier guy is supposed to be loaded, Usagi figured.
She waited until the two of them were a good distance away, hoping they weren't wary enough to glance over their shoulders. Usagi folded up the newspaper and took off after them. She maintained a safe distance in case they feared being followed.
As Usagi went through the revolving door, she noticed that Kitty had stopped at the receptionist's desk. "Eeep," Usagi spluttered, quickly pulling the newspaper back out, but listening closely.
"OK, have it brought up to room 20-06 in about half an hour," Kitty finished, right before turning to head for the elevators. At once, Usagi's apprehension turned to self-satisfaction. She already figured out which room some of the X-Men were staying in! Now she just had to worry about sneaking in to get to their professor…
Suddenly, the answer came to her. "Ha ha ha, maybe I'll be able to rub something in Rei's face after all. Who says Usagi Tsukino can't come up with a good plan?" she muttered to herself smugly as she trudged away from the receptionist's desk.
She'd have to locate something first, before putting this plan into action. It took some time, but at last, she found the kitchens. Smiling to herself, Usagi ducked into the nearest ladies' room. Once she was certain no one else was inside, she pulled out her Transformation Pen again.
"Moon Power, transform me into a pretty maid!" Light surrounded Usagi again. Once it faded, she still stood at the same height as when disguised as a scientist, but was now decked out in a fancy maid's uniform, long blond hair done up in a single braid.
She smiled down at herself in satisfaction, but then remembered she had a very narrow window of opportunity. Usagi dashed out of the bathroom, heading back to the kitchens. As luck would have it, someone announced something for Room 20-06. As Usagi suspected, it was food Kitty had been talking about.
Once again, Usagi was able to bluff thanks to her disguise, that she was a new hire. Soon, she was wheeling the cart out of the kitchen, heading for the service elevators. The elevator music… so calm and relaxing, the complete opposite of what was going on in Usagi's head. So much was unraveling, even amongst the Sailor Senshi themselves, and she felt Charles Xavier could be her only hope to set it all right.
Once on the twentieth floor, Usagi looked about for Room 20-06, suddenly not feeling too confident anymore. She would be walking right into where the X-Men were staying. Usagi kept telling herself that they weren't the bad guys, that they didn't want to butt heads with the Sailor Senshi. Still, things between the two teams had already soured. But she had come this far, so there was little sense in turning back. So at last, upon finding the right room, Usagi worked up the courage to knock.
"Come, go ahead and wheel it in," came a kindly voice from the other side. The same voice from the park. Luck was with Usagi again. Biting her lip to keep from squealing, Usagi opened the door.
Her hopes were doused somewhat upon seeing Xavier was not alone. His wheelchair was situated in the middle of one of the biggest main rooms for a hotel unit she had ever seen. Beside him paced a big guy in a fancy suit sporting blue fur… Dr. Hank McCoy, the Beast, was here too! Usagi figured two mutant super-geniuses could easily figure out what to do about Naru.
But McCoy wasn't the only one with the professor. The balcony door was open, and standing out there was some guy smoking a cigar. Someone rather short. As plain old Usagi, this guy would only be a few centimeters taller than her! But this gruff, confrontational air about him… Usagi sure wouldn't want to pick a fight with him!
Oh no, is this that Logan guy who visited the shrine? Usagi wondered. She wasn't sure which X-Man he was supposed to be, but he certainly looked familiar.
Usagi stopped herself before she gaped at them too long. Hopefully, they would chalk up her nervousness as how a normal Japanese woman would react to seeing a mutant. Usagi started taking the trays off the cart, listening closely as the three men talked.
"I do wish you would have permitted me to attend the seminar, Professor," said Dr. McCoy. "Oh, I'm sure Kitty will take good notes, but as someone who was there when what Kizachi is tampering with first surfaced…"
"I know, Hank, but I considered it a prudent move," said Xavier.
"We're being a bit too prudent, Chuck," said Logan. He took a long drag from his cigar before speaking up again. "You shoulda let me go with them the other night. I know the plan was to throw those thugs off the scent, but let's face it. MY ability to pick up someone's scent would be the only thing to let us zero in now. Unless you got some other way you'd like t' share, Sailor Moon."
Usagi yelped in astonishment, nearly dropping the last tray. McCoy looked rather astonished too, while Xavier only looked mildly surprised. "Ah, I thought I detected a familiar thought pattern, but I was mostly trying to ferret out hostile intent with my mental powers," said Xavier warmly. "Naturally, with you, there'd be none."
Usagi just stood there, frozen from fear and shock. Usagi figured if the X-Men were going to out her, if would be via telepathy. Yet she would have slipped by Xavier if not for Logan.
"Yeah, Chuck didn't dig into your head, little lady," said Logan after exhaling more smoke. "He wouldn't need to. You reek of those same chemicals and those cherry blossom trees from that shrine of yours, so you're definitely one of the Sailor Senshi. Plus I did catch a whiff of your own scent from Ororo the other day, after they bumped into ya in that park. That helped narrow it down." Rei mentioned how Logan sniffed a lot while at the shrine. Clearly, a great sense of smell was among Logan's powers.
McCoy and Xavier kept gazing at Usagi for a moment. As Usagi anxiously stared back, wondering just what they intended to do, she noticed a bit of admiration crept into their expressions as well. "Well now, after all these years of having to worry about Mystique, you'd think we would be a bit more adept at ferreting out masters of disguise," McCoy said with a grin.
Master of disguise. Yeah right. Both Logan and Kizachi picked me out in a heartbeat, Usagi thought bitterly. Maybe it is better that I don't use the pen much anymore, if there's so many ways to beat it.
"So why are you here?" Logan suddenly demanded. "From what we've read about Sailor Moon, you ain't the type to throw down with no reason. But your buddies proved to be a different story. You getting anything', Chuck?"
Xavier placed his fingers against his temple. Was he using his power again? And if so, to read her mind? Usagi suddenly realized that if Xavier wanted to find out about the Senshi's plans to take down Eclipse, she'd have no way to stop him.
Thankfully, it looked like Cable was truthful about the X-Men's professor encouraging limits. "I sense no extraneous minds present, and still no hostile intent. She is quite alone, Logan."
"He's right. I-I-I-I don't want another fight with the X-Men. T-T-T-That got all of us nowhere!" Usagi cried.
"That's good to hear, my dear," said McCoy with a chuckle. "That tiara of yours certainly did a number on Nathan's bionic arm. It took the stalwart soldier and I a good part of yesterday to restore it to near-full functionality."
"Oh," said Usagi sheepishly. "Well, uh, about that…"
"Hopefully it's water under the bridge, kiddo," said Logan. He stowed away his cigar in a tube and walked over to where Usagi had set down the trays. "If the X-Men held grudges against every other superhero out there who threw down on us 'cause of some misunderstanding, we'd have no allies whatsoever." Just like with Erina Kizachi, though she stood much taller in her present disguise, Usagi felt this much shorter man still loomed over her. No, with Logan, this intimidating presence was far more profound.
"Besides, from what Remy and Peter told us, those two particular Senshi they encountered are hopefully simply… the two most hotheaded of your group," added McCoy. Usagi scowled. Unless you also counted Rei, that assessment was dead-on.
"Still, we would like to know why you've come," said Xavier. "I fear our two teams are still at an impasse regarding what to do about Eclipse. Also, did you come of your own volition, or are you an emissary for the entire Senshi team?"
So he ISN'T reading my mind. Good, Usagi thought, breathing a little easier. "Forget Eclipse for now, Professor," Usagi said quickly. "Both our teams are on the same page about these new Sentinels. We can't have these things let loose. One got sent after my friends, and they barely got it to…"
Usagi fell silent when she heard a loud, metallic shink. Looking back to the table, she noticed Logan was eating some of the big pieces of sushi with long, metallic claws that had emerged from between his knuckles! He impaled a piece with the tip of one and popped it into his mouth.
After swallowing, Logan said, "I'm up for a Sentinel-scrappin' spree with the Sailor Senshi. Do continue," he said innocently.
Usagi stared a moment longer, finally realizing which X-Man this was. THE WOLVERINE! Possibly the most vicious fighter alive!
"So it's true. There WAS a test launch of this new breed of Sentinel the other night, and your teammates drove it back," said Xavier.
"Impressive," McCoy added. "I would surmise that Sentinels are not something the Sailor Senshi are accustomed to, and when Bobby and I first encountered Trask's, it certainly wasn't dispatched with alacrity."
"And Kizachi is behind these," said Usagi. "I… ran into her at her building. She saw through my disguise too, and got right in my face, pretty much admitting she built the thing sent out to kill my friends. H-H-H-How did you X-Men beat these things before? T-T-T-There's so much I need to learn about how the X-Men do things…"
"And this is why you've come to us," said Xavier. "I don't need to delve into your mind to sense this feeling of helplessness."
"Y-Y-Y-Yeah, Professor," Usagi stammered. "But it's not just the Sentinels. I-I-It's like I told you at the park, I've got a friend who's a mutant, and I still have no idea what to do for her! But you do. You've g-g-got to. I mean, you literally wrote the book about it, and the X-Men, all of you putting your heads together… All this anti-mutant insanity bubbling up in Japan, you've got to tell me what the Sailor Senshi are supposed to do!"
Logan raised an eyebrow. "This is new. The leader of a rival superhero team practically begging us t' call the shots. Sounds too good t' be true."
"Logan, please… Sailor Moon is quite sincere, I assure you," Xavier chided.
"Unfortunately, the solution Sailor Moon seeks has largely eluded us X-Men as well," said McCoy. "The regrettable truth, my dear, is that we've also yet to crack the enigma of coaxing humanity to go against their worst instincts."
Usagi looked McCoy up and down. She took in his monstrous appearance for the first time, and truly considered how rough life must be for him. "H-H-H-How can you say that so calmly?" Usagi squeaked. "I mean, over the years… Don't take this the wrong way, but that look… You've changed a lot since, well, someone I know was there that day the X-Men first saved the world..."
McCoy chuckled. "Ah, I can see why Ms. Mizuno regards you as her leader, Sailor Moon. The ease with which you can empathize with others is encouraging."
"Yeah, well, it's not like I have no idea what it's like to be born… different, and get superpowers just after hitting my teens," said Usagi. "But I can keep it under wraps. My friend also has, so far, but that might change…"
"Logan, Hank, I believe I should speak with Sailor Moon alone for a moment," said Xavier suddenly. "I may not be able to offer solutions to her every problem, but I believe I can make swifter progress if it's just the two of us."
McCoy simply nodded and headed for the door leading to the hall. Not surprising, considering he was one of Xavier's original students and trusted him implicitly. Logan, however, eyed Usagi dubiously for a moment. Thankfully, he sheathed his claws and turned to follow McCoy, offering no argument.
Usagi watched them go, wondering just how Dr. McCoy could be so nonchalant about going out among people looking like that. It was a wonder he hadn't caused a stir at the Chess Tower. What would happen with Naru if her mutant powers were exposed? Could she expect to go out in public unmolested?
"I'm afraid Hank was correct about how there is no simple fix for what's transpiring in your country, Sailor Moon. At least, in regards to this rising tide of resentment," said Xavier, making Usagi's gaze drift back to him. "Whatever solution is to be found, it will be a painstaking process, requiring long-term thinking." Usagi wondered if Xavier could sense her unease about that news. She wasn't exactly the most diligent student in Japan, after all. "Founding the X-Men was part of such a long-term strategy. In response to growing hostility toward mutants, I started my school for gifted youngsters. Taking them in, training them so that they can control their gifts, and use their power to turn back those of our kind who wish to conquer humanity. And by doing so, showing humanity that peace between mutants and normal humans is possible."
"But can it work? I mean, I always hear about how lousy mutants get treated in America, and now it's being exported here," Usagi said. She gripped her Transformation Pen, willing her disguise to melt away, revealing herself to truly be Sailor Moon before Xavier for the first time. "But who am I to talk? You HAVE a plan, where I can't really think past what my next meal is. Some reincarnated princess I am."
"Again, you sell yourself, short, Usagi," said Xavier kindly. "As I told you, you must have confidence in yourself. Think back to all the good you've accomplished. And based on the information Hank and the others compiled before jetting off to your home country, that is quite considerable."
"I tried to be, Professor, I really did," Sailor Moon protested. "But I saw her again earlier today, and… Things went nowhere, fast. Helping a mutant cope, stopping Sentinels… These are your areas of expertise, Professor, not mine. I need to know, my friend… Can you help her? Just what is it like at your school?"
Xavier regarded Sailor Moon for a moment. "I suppose, now that you know the truth about me, you wish me to consider your friend for enrollment? Not just for my school, but as a member of the X-Men?"
Sailor Moon finally managed a smile. "Yes! Exactly that! Well, I guess… For a long time, she told me about how she wanted to be a Sailor Senshi herself. It was always awkward, how she didn't know she was talking to their leader the whole time. Now she's all withdrawn and depressed, but if that spark's still in there… Is your school a good fit for her? Are the X-Men?"
It was Xavier's turn to smile. "I have a way of showing you, and then you can decide if you want to bring your friend to me," he said warmly.
Sailor Moon beamed back at him, until it clicked about just what his 'way of showing' her entailed. Could she risk it? The Senshi were so close to closing in on Eclipse, and if the X-Men's leader got a whiff of what they were planning…
No, Xavier's already shown he doesn't abuse his power, Sailor Moon told herself. Still, she had to have assurances. "You… won't dig too deep, right? I'm honor-bound to keep my friend's secret until she says otherwise."
"I understand, Sailor Moon," said Xavier. Sailor Moon decided this would have to placate her. Here it was, a chance to see just what Xavier could do for Naru. She wouldn't blow it a second time out of fear
She nodded, and Xavier moved his wheelchair closer. He reached up with one hand, and Sailor Moon shut her eyes. She forced herself to relax, having no idea what his mental powers would really do.
A wave of warmth washed over Sailor Moon, and it felt like she was being pulled somewhere. When she opened her eyes, she found she was… elsewhere. Standing in the middle of some grass, but she couldn't really feel it, even though it felt like she was… barefoot? Looking down at herself, Sailor Moon saw she no longer had her fuku on, but rather the white dress of Princess Serenity!
"With your astral image, there are no secrets, no disguises," came Xavier's voice. It was more like she heard him inside her head, rather than through her ears. "You appear as you truly are. I cannot say I'm not tempted to learn more about you now. Reincarnated princess, indeed. Quite curious…"
Usagi whirled around to see Xavier's 'astral image' strolling toward her. No more wheelchair! At least, with this mental ability, he could go wherever he wanted. But then Usagi's gaze drifted up to what was behind Xavier. One big, beautiful mansion! An elegant, though rather old one too, judging from the beautiful ivy growing up its walls. THIS was his school, the headquarters for the X-Men!? It certainly put the Hikawa Shrine to shame, and Usagi figured even more alluring secrets awaited within.
Sensing Usagi's eagerness, Xavier offered a hand. "Come. The sun is setting back in Tokyo, but is just rising here in Westchester, New York. The start of a new school day…"
Usagi never imagined she would be so excited to arrive at a school so early. She took Xavier's hand, and he led them toward the mansion's front door. And then right through it! They were practically ghosts, just like Kitty!
Sunlight had barely begun to filter through all the windows of the mansion, but youngsters clutching books were already rushing about. But they didn't look anxious at all. A far cry from how panicked Usagi was when running to school to beat the bell. There was an air of security here, of peace. As if these young mutants knew they were where they belonged.
Xavier led her through the halls, unfazed when students unknowingly passed through their astral forms. Then they passed through another door, into a classroom where all the students were already seated. One of them caught Usagi's eye. Someone clearly of Asian descent, with short black hair, pink sunglasses resting over her forehead, and a flamboyant yellow coat. She blew a bubble, a disinterested air about her.
Her teacher finished scrawling something on the chalkboard. She wore a skirt suit of dazzling white that hugged her frame tightly, and her blond hair was cut in a short, bob style. She turned to her students, a stern, severe look in her eyes, but then her gaze fell on Usagi and Xavier's astral forms. Unlike all the students, it was as if she could see them! She smirked a little, then turned her attention back to her class.
They stayed a short while as this 'Ms. Frost' began her lecture. After breaking her brain trying to absorb everything Erina Kizachi had droned about, Usagi was in no mood for more. Just as well that she couldn't really understand English, anyway. Still, Usagi could tell that these students didn't exactly mind being in her class. That they felt they could accomplish something good at this school. Usagi looked to that girl in the yellow coat again. Was she also a recruit that Xavier brought to America from another country? If he brought Naru here, could she fit in just as well?
They wandered the halls some more. Usagi was still amazed by just how inviting the whole school felt to her. To her, Usagi Tsukino, whose name was synonymous with getting saddled with detention. That helped ease any doubts about Xavier's school being a good fit for Naru.
"Wow, and I thought it was a big deal just making it into Juban High School!" Usagi cried, taking in the mansion's splendor. "I'm actually kind of jealous of… my friend right now, seeing where she might end up."
"I'm glad you think my school would be a good place for your friend," said Xavier warmly. "However, did you not say that you believed she would also be a good fit for the X-Men?"
"Err, well, let's just say she'd be tough enough," said Usagi. "We're talking 'stop a fire truck going full speed then use it as a weapon' tough."
"Indeed, that does sound rather formidable," said Xavier. "If that's the case, there is more I must show you, Ms. Tsukino. The school, as impressive as it may seem, is still merely our public face. The lower levels, however, are an entirely different matter."
With that, Xavier placed a hand on her shoulder. Suddenly, the two of them were once again elsewhere. Usagi looked around, seeing that she was in a big, expansive room with metal walls.
"Our hangar for the Blackbird," said Xavier, in answer to Usagi's unspoken query. Usagi looked up, seeing the huge bay doors worked into the ceiling. "Naturally, the Blackbird is currently in Japan, with us."
"A jet. You got your own jet," Usagi said flatly. "We get talking cats and a Shinto shrine, the X-Men get a mansion and their own jet."
"That's hardly the most significant thing housed down here, Ms. Tsukino. If you'll come this way…"
Usagi followed Xavier through the door to the hangar, a metal, sliding gateway with a huge 'X' worked into it. She stepped out into a narrow hallway with the same strange silvery-grey plating. All along the hallway, there were more circular doorways with that 'X' design embedded on them.
"Ah, what luck. It sounds like there's a session going on," said Xavier. "This is a perfect opportunity to show you how your friend will be trained in the use of her powers."
Nodding, Usagi followed Xavier through another door. What was on the other side seemed to be a row of computer terminals, and windows fixed right over them, letting those working the controls peer down into… wherever.
But no one was there. Usagi couldn't read anything on the screens, as it was all in English, but it sure looked like those computers were working furiously at something. Something Xavier didn't sound too pleased about. "Running such a dangerous simulation with no one at manual controls? But then again, given those two…"
Usagi peered down through the windows, gasping. Whatever was down in there, that couldn't be right. Usagi hadn't exactly aced world history or anything, but it looked like part of the Great Wall of China down there! As if it were outdoors down there! It was even raining!
And there were people down there! A bug guy, his back to the Great Wall, sauntered forward with an outstretched hand toward someone even bigger! Whoever the first guy was, his skin was deathly white, had short black hair in a flat top, and… was that a small red diamond on his forehead?
His outfit looked even stranger, from what Usagi could see through the driving rain. Some sort of segmented purple bodysuit, a cape made up of flowing ribbons… But as Usagi tried to take in his bizarre appearance, he cut loose with some sort of concussive blast. That other guy, some big hulking man with most of his uniform burned away, looked like he was about to go down for good!
Or he would have, had not another X-Man stepped in. Another big guy, bald with dark skin, his uniform also almost burned away, threw himself in between that blast and his teammate. Usagi shrieked, fearing the worst, but Xavier put a hand on her shoulder. "Worry not, Sailor Moon. Even if this were for real, and not a training simulation, Bishop would be fine. Observe."
Usagi looked down through the window again. That energy the pasty guy just blasted Bishop with… Could it be? Was the dark-skinned X-Man just sucking it up?
As if to answer her question, Bishop fired back with an energy blast of his own, as if redirecting whatever the bad guy just threw at him! "Wow, glad Uranus and Neptune didn't pick a fight with him too," said Usagi.
Bishop wasn't out of hot water yet. That other guy tanked the redirected energy! His upper body got reduced to one ugly, silvery blob, but was quickly reforming! Bishop's teammate, however, now had an opening. Usagi got a better look at him. He had black hair that reached the base of his neck, a bandana with some feathers worked into it, and he had just drawn two huge knives! With a howl, he charged at their enemy just as his body reformed, running him through. He kept going, smashing him right through the Great Wall!
ANOTHER super-strong mutant!? Usagi thought incredulously. Maybe Naru's power isn't as special as I thought, but at least she wouldn't feel so alone here…
"The Danger Room," said Xavier suddenly. "Thanks to some technology we borrowed from the Sh'iar Empire, we can create a virtual environment that simulates anything we desire. And simulations of any enemy we must train to face. This is how the X-Men relentlessly train for missions."
Usagi kept watching the battle that still raged below. "So… the pasty-white liquid guy is an old playmate of yours?"
Xavier nodded, a somber look in his eyes. "Yes, that's Nathaniel Essex, otherwise known as Mr. Sinister. Though he wasn't originally a mutant, he's amassed so many abilities through genetic manipulation that, as you saw, he is a force to be reckoned with. His intellect and his capacity for manipulating friend and foe alike, however, are what make him truly terrifying."
"Yeah, I can imagine," said Usagi, thinking back to how Erina Kizachi was outfoxing the Sailor Senshi. "So, these Shi'ar guys… Something tells me their aliens, right? Don't tell Uranus and Neptune about them. Taking out threats from outside the solar systems is kinda their job. Wait, never mind. They'd love to have a training ground like this. Come to think of it, so would Luna. She'd throw me in there for hours on end until I shaped up in her eyes."
Xavier chuckled a little, then said, "There's one last thing I'd like to show you before we return to Tokyo." Usagi watched the Danger Room session a moment longer, praying she'd never have to fight that Sinister guy, then followed Xavier again. He led her to the very end of the hall, and when they stepped through, Usagi gasped. A huge, round room, with some weird computer thingy with a helmet attached right in the middle.
"This is… This is what Rei saw!" Usagi cried out. "She was drawn here somehow!"
"As I suspected, it was one of the Sailor Senshi who somehow wound up here in astral form," said Xavier, sounding relieved that a mystery was solved. "I realize that, in my shock, my psionic power may have been overwhelming for her. Please, convey my deepest apologies for hurting her like that."
"Well, OK, sure thing Professor," said Usagi. Looking around the room again, she asked, "So, just what is this room anyway?"
"This is the main room for Cerebro. This is what I use to amplify my powers and locate mutants," said Xavier.
"You can find mutants using this thing? How?"
"The brain waves of mutants differ from that of ordinary humans," said Xavier. "With Cerebro, I can use my telepathy to locate mutants that way."
Suddenly, Usagi felt uneasy. "But it led you to the Sailor Senshi instead. Why'd it do that?"
Xavier's brow furrowed. "I'm not quite sure. The nature of the Senshi's powers is still a mystery to us. Perhaps you could educate us one day."
Usagi's unease grew. She felt like she owed Xavier now, after how he had divulged so many of his best-kept secrets. Yet she knew the other Senshi would be aghast if she revealed too much about them, too soon.
"I would like to think the X-Men could at least count on the rest of the Senshi to lay aside current tensions, should there be more Sentinel attacks," Xavier went on.
"It looks like there'll definitely be more," said Usagi glumly. "Erina Kizachi… I don't know why, but she absolutely hates me, and she built those new Sentinels just to fight the Sailor Senshi."
"Then we have a common enemy," said Xavier. "Also, I fear that the Sentinels may not be our only old foe that the Senshi may face soon."
Usagi stared back at Xavier, wondering who he could be talking about. A chill crept up her spine when she remembered something else freaking out people in Japan. "Oh no, you don't mean… Magneto!?"
Xavier hung his head with a sigh. "Indeed. I have good reason to believe my old friend is mixed up in the Senshi's current plight as well."
"But, why would Magneto want Sentinels to…" Usagi broke off when something Xavier said just registered. "Hold on… 'old friend'? You and Magneto KNEW each other, before he went bad!?"
"It was a long time ago," said Xavier. "I met Erik Magnus Lehnsherr in Israel, while doing volunteer work at a hospital. We bonded over several weeks, but even then, I could sense a bitterness within him. When we discussed our theories regarding mutation, he kept insisting that if mutants existed, they would be hunted down out of fear."
Usagi thought back to her father's story about Magneto taking over Cape Citadel, and how his later schemes got more and more brazen. "What could… Why does he hate normal people so much!?"
"Erik's a Holocaust survivor," said Xavier darkly. "He saw his family, almost everyone he knew, ruthlessly exterminated as a child, just for being born different from those in power. That sort of pain, that sort of rage… When it happens at such a young age, I guess for some, there's no quelling it. I tried my best, to guide him, to be a friend to him. But it all fell apart when Nazi remnants attacked the hospital, looking for a patient who had vital information locked away in her psyche. That was when we first revealed our mutant powers to each other, fighting them off and freeing their captive. But it sparked such a change in Erik… He fled after that, vowing that one day he would return to lead mutants to their rightful place as masters of the Earth. While I stayed behind, deciding that human history had seen enough blood spilled, and sought a better way."
"And you kept an eye out for him," said Usagi, understanding. "That's why you started the X-Men. So when Magneto made his move at Cape Citadel, you were ready."
Xavier nodded. "To my regret, it was obvious that my prudence was warranted on that day he seized the missile base. For a brief time since then, it looked like he had learned the error of his ways, even leading the X-Men at one point. But it seems fate is unkind. No matter what, it's only a matter of time before I find myself fighting my old friend yet again…"
Usagi wasn't sure if she could cry in her astral form, but she felt about ready to shed tears. She couldn't imagine what Xavier had to go through all these years, fighting a once-cherished friend over and over and over. At least with Mamoru and Chibiusa, they had been brainwashed, and that was eventually undone. Erik Magnus Lehnsherr became the mutant terrorist known as Magneto of his own free will, not caring how it stabbed Charles Xavier through the heart.
And it made Usagi think back to Naru. The bitterness was welling up in her as well. Japan was turning against mutants just as her powers were budding, and it ate at her soul. Worse, she felt that Usagi, that Sailor Moon, had abandoned her. If this went on, who knew what the end result could be? What choice Naru would make?
History could not repeat itself. It wouldn't.
Usagi wouldn't let it.
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"Yes, I know the sun's setting, and everyone's is getting into position," Usagi hissed brusquely into her watch as she stomped toward the elevators. She had undone her transformation before leaving Xavier's room. As far as most anyone else in the hotel knew, she was just an ordinary girl. Who was whispering into her wristwatch for some reason. "But there's something I've got to do first, Rei. And don't talk back, not this time. It can't wait, it's something that's waited long enough."
Usagi shut off her communicator, just as the elevator doors opened, her mind made up. Unbeknownst to the regular patrons of the hotel and its staff, Usagi was actually Sailor Moon, heading off to take care of some personal business. But five others watched her go, knowing full well who she was and what she had set out to do.
Ororo peered through the crack in the doors to one of the hotel's assembly rooms on that floor, situated near the elevators. That slip of a girl, so innocent and carefree at first glance. But now that Ororo knew Usagi Tsukino was indeed who the X-Men suspected since their chance meeting, she caught the telltale signs. Of someone shouldering a burden, plagued with doubt. Still, from their brief conversation, Ororo could tell the girl meant well. And Nathan was able to confirm her intuition, though not with a means she particularly approved of.
"The kid's headed for her mutant buddy, ain't she, Nathan?" Logan asked. "Go straight to mutant bestie, do not pass go, do not collect twenty-two thousand yen."
The grizzled soldier nodded. "The pink-haired little girl… She found a way to keep me from getting necessary information unless I delved deeper than Xavier would've liked. And by the time I realized a golden opportunity would slip away, she rabbited. Thankfully, no worries about this opportunity slipping by. This girl's got mutants on the brain, and it's easy to reach in and get the intel we need. Not just about her friend, but that oily drain clog her fellow Senshi are after too."
"And do they have a strategy for the latter?" Kitty asked. "Hank sure seems to think the chemicals Logan smelled mean they're planning some sort of chemical attack. Is that their game plan?"
Nathan nodded again. "And they intend to use it tonight, staking out one of the shipyards in case she shows. Looks like the information you coaxed out of those thugs was dead-on, Logan."
"Which means we must make some hasty preparations for tonight," Hank pointed out. "We must alert the rest of the X-Men pounding the pavement in Tokyo. There's a high probability, judging by what we overheard from Ms. Tsukino, that the entire Senshi team will be assembled for this venture. It just may take every one of our number present in Japan to… dissuade them from turning Eclipse over to the local authorities, should their stratagem with this chemical succeed."
"Without the professor knowing of our intentions, unfortunately," Ororo chimed in, her voice laced with annoyance. "Professor Xavier would certainly frown upon any plan that would put us on another collision course with the Sailor Senshi. And he most certainly would not have approved of using telepathy so deeply on someone who is not our enemy."
"Not our enemy…" Nathan repeated airily, looking down at his left arm, flexing his hand. His replacement coat once again hid his bionic arm, which had needed repairs after Sailor Moon's attack. "Under normal circumstances, no. Sailor Moon most certainly wouldn't be the X-Men's enemy. The kid's heart bleeds crimson red for us mutants, Ororo, especially the ones here in her country. I like this kid, Ororo, really I do. But she's also fiercely loyal to her team. If it's a choice between us and the Senshi, she'll stand by the Senshi. That's why I just made sure to remove Sailor Moon from the equation."
Usagi hsd gone down the elevator moments ago, but Ororo just then turned away from the crack in the door. Eyeing Nathan with a withering glare, she snarled, "So in addition to digging far too deep with your telepathy, you used your power to influence Usagi's thoughts?"
"Nothing that wasn't already there," said Nathan innocently, not a twinge of regret in his voice. "Just a gentle little prodding, making sure seeing to her mutant friend shoots right to the top of her priority list, and stays there. With any luck, that'll keep her away until this Eclipse mess is over."
"A logical approach I'd expect from a seasoned tactician, Nathan, but nevertheless I share Ororo's reservations," said Hank. Ororo was glad SOMEONE remembered one of the things the X-Men stood for was not abusing their gifts.
"Yeah Cable. Even if Eclipse is bagged and tagged tonight, our time in Japan will be far from over," said Kitty. "It'd be best if we didn't keep butting heads with those Senshi."
"While I agree that a good long-term strategy would be to eventually court the Senshi, in the short-term, I want Usagi Tsukino as far from the battlefield tonight as possible," said Nathan. "Looking into her mind again, I caught glimpses of what that Ginzuishou of hers can really do. My report that it's a faux Infinity Gem was GREATLY exaggerated. Risking having that thing pointed at us next time, instead of Eclipse, is not an option."
Ororo still wasn't quite placated with Nathan's reasoning, but bit her lip when she felt Logan's hand slide into hers. He had sensed her lingering unease, and said, "Take it for someone who's also been through a few wars, darlin'. Sometimes you gotta… bend your moral code a bit, risk doin' things that may leave a bit of a bad taste in your mouth, just to make sure your team pulls through. These kids… They're good kids, Storm, but we gotta make sure we can muscle past 'em if need be."
Ororo looked down into Logan's eyes. Hardened eyes of a seasoned, and at times savage, fighter. They were such polar opposites, and yet over the years, they had come to trust each other implicitly. Not only that, this willful little powder keg, prone to violent rage, would most often never hesitate to follow her orders. To accept her judgment, despite lacking his many decades of experience. Perhaps in this instance, she could trust in his, despite her lingering reservations.
And linger they did. While Logan would naturally favor Nathan's tactics, Ororo, ironically, had more in common with the Sailor Senshi, especially their leader. She too sought the path of peace and understanding, though all too often her role as field leader for the X-Men meant she had to use her gifts forcefully.
And tonight, the winds she rode might be called upon to force the Sailor Senshi back. Ororo wondered if Usagi Tsukino faced such quandaries during her brief time as leader of a superhero team. Would Sailor Moon hesitate to unleash this 'Ginzuishou' upon them, if she felt she had no other options?
Ororo looked to the others. Logan, her dearest friend for so long. Kitty, the girl she took under her wing. Hank, their resident super-genius, always whipping up a solution to their every problem.
No, if push came to shove, she wouldn't hesitate to call upon the wind and lightning to protect them. Sailor Moon would undoubtedly feel the same way about her team. "Very well, Nathan. You've made a valid point," she said at length. "Did you find anything else pertinent while peering into Usagi's mind?"
"Besides how this kid couldn't conjugate verbs to save her life?" Nathan replied with a smirk. "Well, another reason I want her far away from the shipyard is how the Sailor Senshi also deduced Eclipse could really be Erina Kizachi. Not only did she really freak Tsukino out earlier today, but she and the other Senshi evidently feel they'd be doing us all a favor, taking Eclipse out for us. Keep those Sentinels from hunting mutant and Senshi alike."
"Then there's another reason I'm acquiescing to your use of telepathy in such a manner, Nathan," said Ororo. "Sailor Moon would do just about anything to stop these Sentinels. I heard it in her voice, back at Kizachi's facility. But they don't quite realize this situation with the Sentinels may be more complicated than they suspect. Taking out Kizachi would not grind these Sentinels to a halt." So many similarities between their two teams, so many reasons there should be a lasting alliance, especially with a common threat. Yet again and again, fate put them all on a collision course.
It tore at Ororo's soul, but she knew Nathan was right. Time was running out. "Send a message to Remy and the others, Nathan. We're suiting up, and we're waiting at the shipyard where the Sailor Senshi will stage their ambush. We'll use the stratagem they attempted on you, Nathan. Wait for them to wear down Eclipse for us, then we swoop in and secure her. With any luck, the conflict won't escalate too far this time." Though Ororo suspected fate would be decidedly unkind tonight.
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Usagi didn't have the patience to wait for another bus, and even if one had been there when she exited the hotel, it would take too long to get her back to Naru's home. Naru had been neglected long enough, but Usagi also had to help her fellow Senshi take down Eclipse tonight. It would be difficult to do what she needed to do with Naru and still make it to the shipyard, but Sailor Moon would MAKE time.
So as soon as Usagi found a spot where the buildings weren't too high, she transformed back into Sailor Moon, then dashed and jumped across rooftops like a woman possessed. She couldn't quite explain it, but her determination to set things right with Naru only got more profound after leaving Professor Xavier.
As she made her way back to the jewelry store, she kept glancing to the west. The sun steadily continued its descent, as if to mock her, to rub in how futile it was to try to do both things in one night. All it did was spur Sailor Moon on like never before.
Just as the sun disappeared completely behind the buildings, Sailor Moon finally reached the roof of the OSA-P. For a moment, Sailor Moon leaned against a cooling tower, panting, then slapped herself to get her brain back in gear. Every second counted. She wouldn't let her friends down, but she had to set things right, before it was too late. The sad tale of how the X-Men's worst enemy had also been their founder's best friend played out again in Sailor Moon's head, as did her last nightmare, the terror rushing back anew. No, she wouldn't let Naru sink that far.
So she dropped down into the alley between the OSA-P and the building adjacent to it, willing her transformation to be undone. This must be confusing the hell out of Mamoru, Usagi belatedly realized. All this transforming and then undoing it and retransforming… I wonder if there's any side-effects from doing it so much?
Usagi rushed out of the alley, bolting toward the jewelry store's front door. Luck was at least with her, as Mayumi Osaka was just leaving and locking up. "Ms. Osaka! Ms. Osaka! Is… Naru still home?" Usagi cried out. "T-T-There's something I got to talk to her about. I-I-It's really important, and it can't wait."
Mayumi turned to Usagi, looking worn out with worry, but somewhat woken up by surprise. She stared blankly at her for a moment, the fatigue quickly setting back in. "Why, Usagi, it's been some time since I've seen you around here," she said at length.
"I know. That's why I'm here," said Usagi. "There's… something bothering Naru. I can't tell you what, but… I need to help Naru with it. I won't put it off any longer." As Usagi stared up into Mayumi's eyes, she swore she saw a dawning light in them. She already knows, Usagi realized. That was a relief. There was someone else who shared Naru's dark secret. But what needed to be done, only Usagi could do.
"Yes, Usagi, Naru's home. I can have her lock up after you leave," Mayumi said, a mild air of relief in her words. That was a good sign. "She could… certainly use another good friend right now, but she hasn't been in the most welcoming of moods. Good luck."
"I'll need it," Usagi muttered as Mayumi unlocked everything. If Naru was in a particularly foul mood, she could splatter Usagi all over the showroom floor. After seeing what Naru did to that pickup truck earlier, Usagi wondered if she could even tank the full force of Naru's blows as Sailor Moon.
As Usagi stepped inside, seeing the store in the gloomy darkness, memories suddenly came rushing back. About that first night she desperately ran here. During the mad dash here, Usagi kept thinking about Cape Citadel, when Magneto had struck and practically tore out Xavier's heart, necessitating sending out the X-Men to stop him. But now, she had returned to where it all began for her. This was where Sailor Moon first appeared to do her duty. The OSA-P was HER Cape Citadel. It wasn't as high-profile as averting a nuclear war, but her first act as Sailor Moon had saved a good friend. And now, she was back to do it again.
Taking a deep breath, Usagi walked past the display cases and headed up the stairs. She kept telling herself that she had no time to be scared. Naru needed her. The Sailor Senshi also needed her. With any luck, Sailor Moon would have two victories for mutantkind tonight.
Usagi made her way down the hall on the upper level, where she knew Naru's room was at the end. It really had been too long since she had come to Naru's home. She hadn't even faced Naru yet, and already she felt decidedly unwelcome, but she pressed on. She had to. The door was slightly ajar, and light poured through. Hopefully, Naru was still awake, despite surely being tired from that workout. Benching trucks would do that to anyone. And so, taking another deep breath, Usagi knocked on the door.
"Mama? Did you forget something?" came Naru's concerned voice.
Usagi hesitated a moment, then said, "No, she's gone, but she let me in, Naru." Stone cold silence lingered for a moment. Then, in a flash, the door was swung open fully, to reveal Naru's surprised and somewhat annoyed face. It felt like her tongue was glued to the roof of her mouth, but Usagi forced words out. "T-T-T-There's something I had to talk to you about tonight, Naru. Something really important. Can I… C-C-C-Can I come in?"
Naru just stared at Usagi a moment longer, then stepped aside. Usagi forced a nervous smile, then carefully walked inside. Almost at once, she noticed a pair of dumbbells over in the corner. Not that they would do Naru any good, but in anyone else's eyes, it would help explain why Naru had put on so much muscle as of late.
Usagi looked back over to her when she heard the door click shut. Naru had long since changed out of those baggy workout clothes. Now she wore a form-hugging, long-sleeved black shirt, denim shorts and black leggings. Something she probably wouldn't wear in public, because it REALLY showed off how Naru had changed!
At least, it was obvious if you looked closely when she wore certain clothing, such as what Naru had on now. Her legs still looked as shapely and graceful as ever, but newly-developed lean muscle was now noticeable. As she looked at Naru's upper body, Usagi noticed that her shoulders looked just a little bit broader, her arms looked a little bit bigger… And wow, that shirt couldn't hide abs that looked like they could tank a rocket-propelled grenade! Umino's sessions with Naru were doing wonders, in more ways than one!
"Like I said, Umino and I have been working out together," said Naru suddenly, correctly guessing what had Usagi preoccupied. "So, what was it you wanted to talk about? I figured you'd be with your other friends tonight."
Naru was really trying to keep the bite out of her voice, but some of the hurt still bled through. "Actually, I will be, later. But I wanted to make time to come here tonight."
"Oh, I see," said Naru, that resentment bubbling back up. She turned toward her closet. "Well, in that case, you'd better get on with it. What's so important?"
On the way here, Usagi had tried to think of a way to approach Naru about her secret, but none of her ideas were particularly good. So Usagi decided to throw caution to the wind and come out with it. "I think you already know. I know you're a mutant, Naru."
The room became deathly silent once more. Slowly, Naru looked over her shoulder. "What?" she demanded flatly.
"Yes, Naru, you're a mutant. A ridiculously strong, ridiculously hard-to-kill mutant," said Usagi. No backing out now, might as well forge ahead. "I've known for a while, but… I just didn't know what to do for you!"
She rushed over to Naru, grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. The rest of the tears held back all day finally began to flow.
"I'm so sorry, Naru! For not coming to you sooner, for making you feel like I pushed you aside!For everything! I'm so, so, so sorry!" Usagi cried. "But I'm here to help you! I don't know how, but I'm going to help get you through this, I promise you!"
As tears rolled down Usagi's cheeks, Naru could only stare back blankly. There was no surliness in her gaze now, no resentment, just confusion.
"Naru, please… SAY SOMETHING!" Usagi pleaded. She hugged Naru close to her, not surprised to find it felt like she was hugging an Olympic athlete. "If you want to unload on me, chew me out, go ahead! But please, just know I'm still your friend! You can trust me with your secret! I haven't told anyone!"
At last, Naru found her voice. "B-B-But how'd you even know in the first place!?"
Usagi had expected that question, and at least prepared for that. The other Senshi would be aghast, but there was no going back now.
"I think you already know, Naru," she said as she let Naru go. Usagi took a few steps back. "I can't pretend I'll ever fully understand what mutants go through, but… I have some idea. Time to do what I should've done a long time ago." With that, she took out her brooch and held it high. "MOON CRISIS MAKEUP!"
All this time, Usagi had wondered what would happen if she transformed right in front of Naru.
She was about to find out.